How to Rent a Car at Miami Airport

Luxury Dodge Challengers for rent through National at the Miami airport.

It’s a short walk from most gates to the MIA Mover, except from Concourse D in the North Terminal, which is over 1.5 km (one mile) long. Passengers arriving at Concourse D should use the smaller Skytrain to navigate more efficiently to the Central Terminal to get to the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center. Follow the overhead signs for Baggage Claim and Terminal/EXIT no matter which concourse your flight arrives at.

Passengers in Concourse D will need to head up the escalator or elevator to Level 5 to reach the Skytrain to the Central Terminal. Continue following signs for Baggage Claim and Terminal/EXIT, which will also lead to the Skytrain.

The escalator to the Skytrain. In the background on the left here, you can see a sign for the elevator to the Skytrain, too.

A pair of elevators to the Skytrain in Concourse D, North Terminal.

The Skytrain station on Level 5 of Concourse D. The floor of the concourse and the train are level with only a small gap between the two, making it easy to enter with a wheelchair, stroller, or luggage cart. Most of the train is designed for standing, though there are seats in each train car at both ends. The route is shown on the electronic screens above the train entrances. This train goes west to Station 4 for D Gates 40 to 60, as listed on the bottom of the screen.

A close-up of the route map on the Skytrain headed east, the one you’ll need. The current station, number 3, is marked in yellow. Baggage Claim, the Terminal, and the Exit are at Station 2.

The map is also posted inside the train.

Inside the Skytrain has floor-to-ceiling handrails and overhead grab bars for standing passengers. There are also priority seats for pregnant and elderly people and persons with disabilities at both ends of each train car, some shown here on the left side of the frame.

Get out at Station 2 and follow signs leading downstairs toward Terminal/EXIT and Baggage Claim.

Continue downstairs, following the signs. There will also be signs for Ground Transportation heading in the same direction.

Pass through the one-way security doors to reach Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation.

Once in the Baggage Claim area, look for the magenta-marked signs (seen here on the left) for the MIA Mover, the train to the Rental Car Center, and the Miami Intermodal Center (for public buses, local trains, commuter trains, Greyhound buses, and the Megabus). For taxis, rideshares, or hotel shuttles, follow the black overhead signs for Ground Transportation. More on all of these transportation options later.

A closer look at the sign for the MIA Mover showing all transportation options it connects to. There is a good amount of walking to reach the train, but these signs are all over the place pointing the way.

From any baggage claim area, follow the magenta signs, and go up to the third floor to find the MIA Mover.

On the third floor, there will be a series of moving walkways (collectively called the Skyride) to help reach the MIA Mover efficiently.

Take the Skyride to the Central Terminal to meet the MIA Mover, located between the Dolphin and Flamingo parking garages. Continue through the doors on the left, where the magenta wall is, to find the MIA Mover.

A closer view of the way to the MIA Mover and Rental Car Center shows more moving walkways. This way also leads to the parking garages.

On the Skyride to the MIA Mover. Almost there…

Finally at the entrance of the MIA Mover station in the Central Terminal. Head through the lighted doors.

Head down the hallway to meet the train at the end.

The MIA Mover arrives behind a series of sliding glass doors. The doors of the platform and the train are the same height with only a tiny gap, making it accessible for persons in wheelchairs or using strollers.

Like the Skytrain earlier, the MIA Mover is designed mostly for standing passengers with vertical, horizontal, and ceiling-mounted handrails to hold on to. Priority seating is located at both ends of each train car.

Onboard the MIA Mover, there are maps showing the route from the MIA Station to the Central Station, where both the Rental Car Center and the Miami Intermodal Center (buses and trains) are located.

Exit the MIA Mover and head down the hall. The Rental Car Center is located on the left, while the Intermodal Center is on the right.

At the end of the hallway facing the Rental Car Center. Restrooms are also found in this direction.

Once inside the Rental Car Center, helpful signs point the way to each rental car counter. This is Level 4. There are three levels of garages below this floor.

Once inside the Rental Car Center, check the sign at the entrance to find the correct rental counter. The Rental Car Center is sort of oval in shape. Dollar and Royal are straight ahead from the MIA Mover train.

Budget, Payless, and Sixt (all seen here) are to the right, along with Avis and Alamo farther around past the restrooms and exit toward the rental car garages.

Ace sits to the left of Dollar, followed by Advantage, and Enterprise.

Between Enterprise and the next rental counter, Hertz, there is another hallway leading to the rental car garages and restrooms, as well as the exit to Off-Airport Car Rentals, taxis, and courtesy shuttles.

Hertz is immediately left of the hallway.

Thrifty, Family, and National wrap around farther.

After completing your paperwork at the car rental counter, head back to one of the hallways and follow the overhead signs to Rental Pick-Up. The escalators and elevators lead down to three stories of garages.

Signs on each level of the Rental Car Center are posted showing which floor each car rental company is located on.

The Level 3 garage is where to find Hertz, Sixt, Ace, Advantage, Royal, and Family car rentals for pick up.

Here is a sample of Hertz’s offerings, including Tesla Model 3s, a BMW convertible coupe and SUV, and an Infiniti Q50. Hertz’s customer service center is shown in the background.

Family car rental customer service kiosk on Level 3, along with a Chevy Tahoe SUV and a hatchback sedan.

A wide range of vehicles in the Sixt area of the garage, including a Mercedes SUV, a convertible Mustang, minivans, sedans, and more SUVs.

Royal’s customer service center is next to Sixt’s Key Pick-Up area on Level 3 in the Rental Car Center.

Ford SUVs and trucks in the Royal lot, plus a Ram and a full-sized van.

Head down to Level 2, for Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, and Payless rentals.

Dollar and Thrifty share a customer service center on this floor.

Luxury autos in the Dollar lot include a Mercedes coupe, Audi sedan, and a BMW sedan.

Minivans lined up in the Avis lot on the Level 2 garage.

Enterprise, National, and Alamo cars are located on Level 1, the ground floor garage, at the bottom of the Rental Car Center.

The Enterprise customer service center is here on the left, with rental cars behind. National’s customer service is off to the right, just partly visible.

A collection of Enterprise rentals available. Shown here are a Cadillac SUV, Range Rover, and a variety of high-end sedans.

National’s customer service kiosk with cars just behind.

Three sporty Dodge Challengers, plus a BMW, sedans, and SUVs in the National lot of the Level 1 garage.

Assorted sedans in front with full-sized passenger vans behind in the return area for Enterprise and National.

Drive toward the airport and look for green road signs for the Rental Car Center on the highway. Once in the vicinity of the Rental Car Center, look for green Car Rental Return signs.

Each car rental company has its own designated area in the garage for car returns. Pull into the garage and follow the signs and painted floors marked “Return.”

Pull as far forward as possible between the lines on the floor. Overhead signs mark the stopping point at the front of each aisle. People with limited mobility have a dedicated area for returns that is closer to the terminal. Follow the blue and white wheelchair symbol with an arrow (seen here in the center-right) pointing the way.

Leave the keys in the car and collect your belongings. An attendant is usually on hand to note the mileage, time, and fuel level, but it’s a good idea to take a photo of that for your records before exiting the vehicle in case of any discrepancies. This is the Hertz garage, so the attendant is in a yellow shirt. Other rental agencies have a different uniform, but it’s usually a branded polo shirt or similar.

Head back upstairs to the Rental Car Center and follow signs past the car rental counter to the MIA Mover to the Airport. Both the escalator (on the left) and the elevator (on the right) from the garages are seen here.

The MIA Mover is clearly marked with overhead and freestanding signs in black and magenta. This train leads back to the Central Terminal of Miami International with no other stops.

If renting a car offsite from the airport, passengers should still make their way to the Rental Car Center via the MIA Mover. Once there, go to the hallway between Hertz and Royal and follow the overhead signs for Off Airport Rental Car Shuttles.

Continue past the restrooms and escalator and head outside the glass doors.

This leads directly to the rental car shuttle pickup spot. Shuttles to the offsite rental agencies are always free. Taxis are on the other side of the street; you can see part of one here on the right. You can also get a peek at the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel (on the left), a mid-range hotel with a super convenient location for late arrivals or early morning flights.

A clearer look at the Sheraton, as seen from the MIA Mover. This is a good, moderately priced hotel. For a luxury option near the airport, consider EB Hotel Miami Airport.

On the exterior wall of the Rental Car Center, right in front of the shuttle pickup space, is a sign listing the contact numbers of the most prominent Off Airport Car Rental agencies servicing the area.

An Easirent shuttle in the pickup zone with a line of taxis across the street.

Some shuttles pick up passengers for multiple rental agencies, like this one here.

Inside a typical Off Airport Rental Car Shuttle. There will be a luggage rack like this one here.

And a seating area with seat belts is often arranged in a U-shape but also in rows sometimes. Most shuttles have three or so steps to get from the ground up to the seating area – not easily accessible for travelers with limited mobility. Wheelchair users will want to arrange an alternative way to their chosen off-airport rental agency.

The shuttle drops off passengers directly in front of the rental car agency.

When returning the car, head back to the rental car agency and look for signs marked “Return,” like this one here to the right of Fox Rent-A-Car…

Or this one in the shared parking lot to the left of NextCar Routes, and One Switch.

If returning after-hours, place your key in the outdoor drop box, usually in front of the office or parking lot. The drop box for Fox is in front of the parking lot gate.

Next Car, Routes, and One Switch share a small drop box to the right of the building’s main entrance.

Take the free shuttle back to the Rental Car Center from the front of the Off Airport Rental Car agency.

The shuttle drops passengers off at the same spot it picks up from in front of the Rental Car Center. Heading inside through the glass doors leads to Level 4. Proceed past the rental car desks toward the MIA Mover to the Airport.

Ride the MIA Mover to the Airport.

The MIA Mover arrives at the Central Terminal station. From here, head to your terminal for check in.

Taxis are plentiful and easy to reach at the airport. From Baggage Claim, look for the black and magenta signs for Ground Transportation and follow the arrow toward the exit for taxis.

Taxis are directly outside every Baggage Claim area; you can even see the luggage carousels through the windows. Both flat rates and metered rates are available, both of which include a $2.00 airport origination fee. Metered rates begin at $6.90 for the first mile and $2.40 for each additional mile. Waiting time is $0.40 per minute.

Flat rates are based on a wide range of zones and include 1 to 5 passengers. Zones A, B, and C are within 7 miles of the airport and range from $13 to $17. Zones 1 to 5 includes all of Miami Beach plus some, from the south end of Key Biscayne to the north end of Aventura and Golden Beach. Rates run from $40 to $55. More detailed information, including a map of all taxi zones, can be found on Miami Airport’s official site, under Ground Transportation.

Rideshares are a simple way to get from the Airport to any Miami or Miami Beach destination. From Baggage Claim, follow the Ground Transportation signs for Ride App Pickup.

Head through the doors toward the taxi pickup area. Rideshares pick up just across the street (you can just see the sign on the left above the taxi and next to the man’s head). Cross at the crosswalk to the other side of the road.

Walking toward the Ride App Pickup area.

There is a narrow curb for passengers to wait for their rides here.

Drivers pull up to the curb in the designated rideshare area. Confirm that the license plate of the car matches that shown in your Uber or Lyft reservation before getting in any vehicle.

Hotel shuttles pick up just past Rideshares. Look for the Hotel Shuttles on the sign for Ground Transportation in any Baggage Claim area.

Walk outside past the taxis. Cross the street and walk past Ride App Pickups.

Continue across the next road toward the parking garages. Overhead signs mark the Hotel Shuttle pickup area.

Hotel Shuttles pick up in the bus zones facing the parking garages. Luggage carts can be picked up and returned here.

Another angle on the Hotel Shuttle pickup zone, shows some limited seating and the sign pointing back to the Terminal.

The Marriott shuttle passes through the pickup area.

A second shuttle, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, is in the Hotel Shuttle pickup spot.

To reach the local buses, local trains, and commuter rail, follow the signs from Baggage Claim or your terminal to the MIA Mover. The train connects the Airport with both the Rental Car Center as well as the Miami Intermodal Center, where travelers will find all forms of public transportation, plus the Greyhound and Megabus (more on those later).

Take the elevator up to the third floor to catch the MIA Mover.

The train is located in the Central Terminal. Follow signs for the MIA Mover and use the moving walkways to speed up your travel. It’s a long walk otherwise.

Board the MIA Mover for the Rental Car Center (there are no signs for the Miami Intermodal Center, but they are both at the same train stop) at the Central Terminal station.

The map onboard the MIA Mover shows the train connecting the airport with a Central Station. The Rental Car Center makes up the left half, while the Intermodal Center is the unlabeled rectangle on the right with each transportation type served listed beside it: Metrorail (local train), Metrobus (local bus), Tri-Rail (commuter train), Greyhound (America’s largest inter-city bus network), and Megabus (inter-city double-decker buses connecting the US South, East, and Midwest regions).

Get off at the Central Station and follow signs for your chosen public transit option in the same direction as the Rental Car Agencies.

After a few meters, the destinations split, with the Rental Car Center to the left and the Intermodal Center heading off to the right.

The entrance to the Miami Intermodal Center is through the glass doors, with all public transportation and inter-city buses listed above the doors. Luggage carts are not allowed through these doors. Persons in wheelchairs will need to enter through the gate on the righthand side.

Inside the Intermodal Center. Local transportation is found on the left from the main entrance. Commuter rail and inter-city buses are straight ahead on the right. There is a staffed information desk in the center for any questions or assistance. Ticket vending machines for Metrobus and Metrorail are along the wall in front of the turnstile entrance to the Metrorail. Purchase tickets for the bus or train here or via the mobile app. More info on fares, tickets, and passes is available on the official site.

The Metrorail runs daily from 5:00 a.m. to midnight over a 40-km-long (25-mile-long) track as far down as South Dadeland past SW 90th Street and as far north as Palmetto Station on NW 77th St in and around Miami, but not Miami Beach. A map of all stops is posted on the side of the ticket vending machines and inside the station.

Scan your ticket to open any of the turnstile gates. Persons in wheelchairs, or with strollers or bikes, should use the wider gates at each end of the rail station entrance. Turn left to reach the trains.

Pivoting to the left from the Metrorail gates is the entrance to the Metrobus. Along the back wall are ticket vending machines for the Tri-Rail. On the left is a map of the Miami-Dade County Transit System. To catch the bus, go outside through the automatic glass doors.

On the other side of the glass doors is a pair of elevators down to the ground level.

The elevators open up to the bus pickup zone, divided into numbered bus bays. Each bus bay has a map of the bus route stopping there. Buses pull directly up to the curb.

Wheelchair users have priority boarding and exiting, and all buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps and areas to secure wheelchairs in place.

More maps of the County Transit System are posted at the bus station. The two larger maps show all stops on all bus routes.

The bottom center map is zoomed in to show bus stops in Miami’s busy downtown core. There is also a map of the Metrorail on the left and of the Metromover on the right. The Metromover is a free elevated train that makes a 7 km (4.5 miles) loop around downtown from 5 a.m. to midnight, every 90 seconds during rush hour and every 3 minutes outside of peak time.

Turning around, there is also an exterior entrance to the Metrorail on the same level as the Metrobus pickup zone.

The Tri-Rail commuter train is a 118-km-long (74-mile-long) rail system running from Miami in the south up to Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and more. You can buy one-way paper tickets or EASY Cards (for weekend, 12-trip, or monthly passes) at the vending machines or customer service kiosk in the Intermodal Center. EASY Cards for the Tri-Rail can also be used for travel on the Metrorail and Metrobus. More details on fares, passes, and more can be found on their official site.

To catch the Tri-Rail, walk down the hallway past the Metrorail and Metrobus entrances.

About halfway down the hall, the elevator down to the Tri-Rail will be on the right. Look for the overhead signs.

The elevator is clearly marked and hard to miss.

The elevator leads directly to the platform with two tracks, limited seating, and some food and beverage vending machines. The machine in the middle is where you validate your ticket or EASY Pass before boarding and after exiting the train.

A closer look at the ticket validating system. Hold your pass over the orange circle, then choose whether entering or exiting with the silver buttons.

There are more ticket vending machines on the platform level.

Fares are based on how many zones a passenger travels through and the type of pass purchased.

A look at the Tri-Rail track and platform.

Both the Greyhound and Megabus are found at the Miami Intermodal Center, along with the aforementioned public transportation options and the Rental Car Center. Take the MIA Mover there and follow the signs.

Walk down the hallway past the Metrorail, Metrobus, and Tri-Rail. The Greyhound and Megabus are at the far end of the hall.

At the end of the hall, take the elevator on the left or the escalator on the right.

The elevator down to the inter-city bus stations.

Next to the elevator is a map here showing the layout of the Intermodal Center, including the Greyhound and Megabus stations. The Greyhound station sits east of the Megabus stop and north of Security.

The escalator down to the buses.

The inter-city bus station, as seen from the front of the Greyhound bus station. The silver tube in the background is the escalator down to the station. The Megabus stop is behind the red bus.

The Megabus stop waiting area near the escalator with a Greyhound bus driving past.

Another angle on the Megabus stop showing pay phones and benches.

The Greyhound bus station, as seen from the Megabus stop.